There’s no denying the first version of the Deepal S07, launched last year, was not without its issues. Showing a surprising level of agility though, the brand has quickly updated its inaugural model for 2026.
There’s a level of maturity in the fact they’ve chosen to forget the 0–100km/h arms race and focus instead on comfort, refinement and value. With a 160kW/320Nm rear‑drive setup, a 79.97kWh battery and a WLTP range of up to 475km, the S07 has the numbers.
Yet it never feels like it’s trying to impress you with speed. The 7.9‑second run to 100km/h is almost irrelevant once you settle into the cabin and realise this SUV is engineered to make every kilometre feel effortless.
It’s deliberately simple too: one spec, one drivetrain, and an optional 20‑inch wheel upgrade. The colour palette is unexpectedly expressive though, with Comet White, Lunar Grey, Eclipse Black, Nebula Green, Celestial Blue, Cosmic Yellow and Sunset Orange – all metallic.
Lunar Grey and Sunset Orange in particular highlight the S07’s clean, modern surfacing – even the ducks love it. It’s a design that doesn’t shout, but it absolutely looks the part. Inside is where the S07 really starts to justify its pitch.
The diamond‑stitched leather seats are legitimately impressive, with Deepal’s “zero‑gravity” claim landing closer to truth than marketing fluff. Generous adjustment, memory settings and automatic heating/cooling (plus a heated steering wheel) feature.
And yes, you did read that right, you can setup the seat comfort features to activate the moment you unlock the car. It sounds gimmicky until you live with it. Space is abundant in both rows.
That’s particularly so in the rear, where there’s enough legroom to make you wonder whether there should be a “long wheelbase” badge on it. A black headliner, panoramic glass roof and subtle wood‑look trim create a dark, premium ambience.
Practicality is another strong suit: 445-litres of boot space, expanding to 1385-litres, backed by a 125-litre frunk, a 10-litre centre console, and a genuinely useful under‑console shelf that fits a work bag.
Tech lovers will feel right at home too. The 15.6‑inch rotating touchscreen is crisp, fast and central to everything – climate, media, vehicle settings and the excellent 360‑degree camera suite. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto run cleanly.
The 14‑speaker Sony audio system is nightclub‑grade, when you want it to be. Customisable ambient lighting, tied to drive modes, speed or music adds a playful touch, and charging options are plentiful: USB‑A, USB‑C, 12V or an air‑conditioned wireless charging pad.
It’s a cabin that feels properly thought‑out, not just feature‑stuffed. Where the S07 stumbles is in its overzealous safety and driver‑assist behaviour. While it’s very much improved, it’s still not quite there.
The camera quality and blind‑spot monitoring are excellent, but the constant chimes, warnings and speed‑limit misreads quickly wear thin. Passing roadworks signage on a freeway can trigger a cascade of beeps, voice prompts and cruise‑control interruptions.
It will make you long for the days when cars didn’t feel the need to parent you. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but it absolutely needs further local tuning to suit Australian conditions and expectations.
Despite that frustration, the Deepal S07 remains a compelling value‑driven EVs to hit the market in years. With a starting price of $54,387 drive away (postcode dependent) and 30–80 per cent DC fast‑charging rate around 35 minutes it punches well above its weight.
It delivers comfort, space, tech and refinement. If other EV makers borrowed this blueprint – fewer gimmicks, more substance – the segment would be better for it. For now, the S07 stands as both impressive and worthy of a test drive, at the very least.
You can find out more on the Deepal Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Deepal Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
